Moving Toward Military Draft for Women?

With less than two months left in the White House, the Obama administration is moving to support women in the military draft.

On Thursday, White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said that President Obama believes women have "proven their mettle" in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.  

"As old barriers for military service are being removed, the administration supports, as a logical next step, women registering for the Selective Service," said Price. Selective Service is the formal name for the draft.

The Obama administration has been moving the U.S. military from a male-dominated force to one that incorporates women at all levels. Last December, Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the military to open all jobs to women, including the toughest combat positions.

Changing the policy would require Congress to act and there are no indications that lawmakers plan to move quickly to alter the law. The announcement appears designed more to encourage public debate on the issue rather than forcing a swift policy change.  

Some conservatives are speaking out against women being drafted, saying it's another step aimed at blurring gender roles. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said such a move would be "coercing America's daughters" into draft registration.  

Supporters of the move believe it's a good step towards ensuring gender equality and say if women can serve in all areas of the military, they should qualify for the draft.

Current law requires adult men to register for the draft within 30 days of their 18th birthday or risk losing eligibility for student aid, job training and government jobs.  Women can volunteer to serve in the military, but they aren't required to sign up for the draft.

The U.S. Selective Service is an independent agency that aims to manage a fair distribution of military duties if the president and Congress enacted a draft. The last U.S. military draft took place in 1973 during the Vietnam War.